Houston Community College Phlebotomy Technician Program

HCC offers this program through its Continuing Education Division, with courses available at several campuses:

• Southeast College (6815 Rustic)
• Brays Oaks Campus (8855 West Bellfort)
• Acres Homes (630 W Little York Rd)

Classes are typically held on weekdays, and clinical placements are full-time during the day, Monday through Friday. Weekend clinicals are not available, so students must be able to commit to this daytime schedule to complete the program.

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Students must meet a number of qualifications before enrollment, especially due to the clinical placement component. These include both academic and health-related requirements:

• High school diploma, GED, or college transcript
  • Foreign transcripts must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• Must be 18 years or older
• Good physical and emotional health to perform patient care tasks
• Hepatitis B (full series or positive titer)
• Tdap, MMR, and Varicella vaccinations (or proof of immunity via titers)
• Negative TB test or clear chest X-ray
• CPR (BLS-level) certification
• Drug screen and background check (no felonies accepted)
• Photo ID and student ID copy

Additional requirements include wearing scrubs, avoiding artificial nails, and adhering to HCC’s professional behavior guidelines. Students will also perform blood draws on each other in class, which means a willingness to participate in hands-on learning is crucial.

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The base tuition is $1,510, which covers both classroom instruction and clinical hours. That said, students should expect additional costs for the following:

• Textbooks and learning materials
• CPR certification (~$40–$65)
• Background check (~$60)
• Drug screening (~$35)
• Vaccinations or titers, if not already up to date
• Scrubs and personal lab supplies
• National certification exam fees

The program doesn’t hide these costs but does place the responsibility on students to plan ahead. On the plus side, payment plans are available, and some financial aid may be accessible through HCC or Workforce Solutions.

Payment plans require 50% upfront, and the remaining balance is due before the class ends. There’s a $30 service fee for the payment plan option.

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Upon completion, students are prepared to sit for national exams through any of the following organizations:

• NHA (National Healthcareer Association)
• ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology)
• NCCT (National Center for Competency Testing)
• ACA (American Certification Agency)

This broad eligibility increases students’ chances of landing employment anywhere in the country. The program also fits into a career ladder. Students who complete this training—along with Nurse Aide and ECG courses—are eligible to become Patient Care Technicians (PCTs), potentially boosting their credentials and earning power.

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The clinical portion is one of the biggest assets of HCC’s phlebotomy program—but it comes with conditions. Clinicals are 120 hours, full-time (40 hours/week) and must be completed on weekdays. Students do not choose their clinical site, and some may need to pay site application or parking fees.

It’s also important to note that placement is not guaranteed. Students must have all health documents and background checks completed by the clinical instructor’s deadline. Missing paperwork could result in having to repeat parts of the course, delaying progress.

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HCC has resources available for students with disabilities, and accommodation requests are handled through the school’s Disability Services Office.

This program requires commitment. Students are expected to:

• Maintain 80% attendance
• Spend time outside of class studying (up to 20 hours/week)
• Participate actively in class and lab sessions
• Follow strict dress codes and professionalism standards
• Submit all required documents on time

The program recommends perfect attendance and notes that even two absences in clinical must be made up. Late or missing documentation could delay or block progression to the clinical phase.

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Compared to fast-track phlebotomy programs offered by private schools, HCC’s program stands out for its depth, rigor, and integration with broader healthcare training pathways. While not a degree program, its affiliation with HCC gives it more institutional weight.

If you’re also considering moving toward nursing or other medical credentials, this program could serve as a solid stepping stone.

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